Fluoxetine and Nausea: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Sho...
• October 19, 2009

Fluoxetine for Depression "Prozac has changed my life. I had postpartum depression after having a baby and went for months thinking I could fix everything on my own, but nothing alleviated the unrealistic hopelessness. My midwife said that one antidepressant doesn't work for everyone, it is like putting your hand in a mixed candy jar and pulling one out, the effects are that unpredictable. Prozac has been amazing for me. It has taken the OCD, hopelessness edge off, so now I feel like I have a choice about how I feel. Side effects included feeling nauseous and having diarrhea on the first day, my husband says I sometimes tremor at night, it doesn't work as well when I am on my period, and I often feel really low after having sex. Overall, Prozac has saved my sanity."

• Sto...
• July 29, 2017

For Hot Flashes "8 days in and I feel gross. I'm nauseous, feel blah, runny nose (read that was a side effect for 'mature' women), light-headed and sweating bullets. This is supposed to help with the hot flashes? I'm trying to be patient. Ready to quit."

• CeC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 26, 2019

Fluoxetine for Anxiety and Stress "I was on Prozac for a whole month after switching from another anti-anxiety med. From day one, starting to feel more energy. Then I got really hyper and could not sleep. My skin felt on fire, I had severe nausea, really scary, worst anxiety. I felt like my mind was fast-forwarding. I am fine now after it being discontinued for a week."

• tou...
• December 2, 2013

For Anxiety and Stress "I was suffering from anxiety and stress primarily, but also from depression. I have been taking fluoxetine for about 5 weeks. The biggest thing for me has been some pretty heavy side effects in the first two weeks. The side effects were headaches, nausea, insomnia, and less so, some agitation. I started on a 20 mg daily dose for nearly two weeks, but when I complained about the side effects, my doctor cut the side to 10 mg per day. I took 10 mg for two weeks after that and was then able to go back up to the 20 mg dose. The side effects have subsided to a very minor level. I have also noticed a decrease in my anxiety and stress levels, I started noticing an improvement in symptoms after 3 weeks."

• Sam...
• April 16, 2016

Fluoxetine for Depression "I have been on fluoxetine for less than a month, and it's going okay. During the first two weeks, I felt surprisingly amazing. I had a new love of life. The week after, I felt suicidal, I felt worse, and I just wanted to stay in bed and never leave. I feel constantly nauseous, which isn't good. This week, I have felt a little calmer. I feel 'normal.' I hope I stay like this and just level out..."

• Nad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 13, 2019

Fluoxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I tried Prozac for 5 weeks, it made me feel awful. Shaky, brain felt wired, nauseous, made it difficult to sleep, and the last 4 days on this, I was severely depressed and feeling suicidal, which is what led me to stop taking it. At that point, I felt like I was on it long enough to be getting some benefits, but I felt worse than before. I had success for many years on Paxil (paroxetine), unfortunately, it stopped working for me, and I was at the highest dose. I also suffer from anxiety. Fluoxetine actually felt like poison to my body, even though it was supposed to be okay according to my Genesight test results. Very disappointed."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 27, 2013

For Anxiety and Stress "I tried several other anti-depressants before being prescribed fluoxetine. It has really made a huge difference in my life. I used to suffer from constant anxiety, racing thoughts, depression, and suicidal thoughts. I couldn't drive a car, go grocery shopping, order fast food, leave my house, or even talk to friends and family without having a mental breakdown. Eventually, I was completely dysfunctional and hopeless. In combination with DBT therapy, I have greatly improved. I still have sad days, but my anxiety is pretty much non-existent. Life is not a constant struggle. When I first started fluoxetine, I was very nauseous and could not orgasm. After a few days, the nausea wore off, and with practice, my sex life returned to normal."

• Emm...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 19, 2019

For Panic Disorder "I have been on fluoxetine 20 mg for about 2 years. Helped me 100% with my anxiety and panic disorder. A recent breakdown has caused me to up my dosage to 40 mg, and I am currently going through the initial side effects again. Staying strong because it does help and will be worth it. Main side effects for me were/are shaking, loss of appetite, and severe nausea. If you're going through this, please stick with it. Fluoxetine saved me the first time, and now hoping my dosage being put up will pull me back up again. Never give up."

• Nab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 19, 2022

Fluoxetine for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I tried 5 mg of Prozac for PMDD after reading peer-reviewed data and reviews. I started when my luteal phase started. I felt nauseous and drowsy after about day 3. Weird effect on my sleep: I was sleeping, but it wasn’t restful. My mood after about day 6 was noticeably more stable, but nausea and drowsiness still disrupted my day. The 48 hours before my period starts are usually the worst as far as my mood and ability to function. The Prozac did not seem to help during the most intense part of my PMDD. After my period, I wanted to continue with the Prozac to see if the side effects might ease, but then I realized I had lost my sex drive, sex response, and ability to orgasm completely. I stopped on about day 20. I encountered an entire week of intense migraines and bouts of long crying. I’m on week 3 of not taking Prozac and am so depressed I don’t care about anything. I can barely eat or get out of bed. I can orgasm now again, so that’s a plus. Bottom line: not worth it for me."

• Anonymous
• February 28, 2012

Fluoxetine for Depression "I LOVE Prozac. I have major depressive disorder and general anxiety disorder. I was on Lexapro for half a year, and despite not being a teen or young adult, I had my first ever suicidal thoughts. On the Lexapro, I felt sedated, I gained weight, and I was still depressed. It did help with anxiety, but instead, I was often nauseated. Now, after 2 weeks of Prozac, a world of difference. I'm smiling, motivated, looking forward to the near and distant future. I still have some mild nausea, and it's not as good with the anxiety or insomnia. Still, it's great for me because I'm motivated and energetic enough throughout the day to make myself tired enough to sleep, and I'm better at dealing with stressful things."

• Kit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2021

Fluoxetine for Panic Disorder "I am currently on my second week of Prozac/Fluoxetine, and honestly, I can already start seeing the changes. The first 4 or 5 days were very emotionally draining, I had heightened anxiety and trouble staying asleep, along with the common side effects such as headaches, nausea, and lack of appetite. But now I feel like my body is getting used to it. The headaches are slowly disappearing, the nausea is subsiding, and the heightened anxiety isn’t such a problem anymore, and I can successfully say I haven’t had a panic attack since I started taking it. It’s hard in the beginning to stick to, trust me, I thought of quitting many times! But it’s worth powering through!"

• sta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 26, 2018

Fluoxetine for Depression "I was prescribed Prozac for my PTSD. I have social phobias, panic disorder, anxiety, agoraphobia, and depressive disorder. When I started on Prozac, my symptoms weren't nearly as bad as they have come to be now. It made me incredibly depressed, I was nauseous all the time on it, I was losing weight, and I was already underweight as is-5'7" and 115 lbs. The first time I ate a full meal on it was Thanksgiving at a relative's house. The whole next day, I spent violently vomiting and had terrible diarrhea at the same time. Prozac wouldn't allow me to keep anything down, and the constant nausea throughout the days was terrible. Wouldn't suggest it for someone with a sensitive stomach. Also, my psychiatrist said there shouldn't be any effects coming off, I could just stop it. I crashed majorly! Depression got terribly worse, and panic attacks were coming on pretty bad for a short period after."

• Anonymous
• May 26, 2010

Fluoxetine for Depression "I have been on Fluoxetine for about 3 months after being diagnosed with Dysthymia (40-year-old male) and can positively say that it has improved my quality of life. In retrospect, I have felt 'dysthymic' probably since early adulthood, and it took me so long to find out why I felt this way. It was only after doing my own internet searches that I found a condition which was exactly how I had been feeling for so long (...and this is the important point to note about Dysthymia - many people have it for so long that they just accept that the depressive feelings, etc. are part of their personality). I had a few side effects early on - mainly nausea, but that subsided after a couple of weeks. After a very long time in my life, I feel positive!"

• Anx...
• November 2, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "When I first started taking 20 mg of fluoxetine (Prozac) a day for anxiety in July, I was worried about the potential side effects - including weight gain, acne, nausea, etc. I experienced minor side effects that have since gone away over time. I noticed that I've been losing more hair in the shower. My libido was already suffering due to my birth control, and once I started Prozac, it completely diminished my sex drive. Honestly, none of those side effects compare to how amazing Prozac has made me feel. It has worked wonders for my anxiety and my eating disorder. I can't believe that I used to carry all that weight with me every day. I don't know how I ever lived without this. After 8 weeks, I started to notice big changes. I am less anxious about life, am able to live and enjoy my life to the fullest, and I am proud to say that I have only purged once since starting this medication. I have been on Prozac for 14 weeks now."

• Bre...
• June 17, 2015

Fluoxetine for Anxiety and Stress "Took this as I was having bad anxiety and insomnia, waking up early constantly with that uncomfortable tight chest feeling and just having no energy. Seemed to work for the first 3 days, then I got really depressed. I started at 5 mg and went up 5 mg a week 'til I hit 20 mg. I have been super depressed, more anxious, was extremely nauseous and could barely eat for almost 2 weeks, and my sleep hasn't improved at all. After almost 4 weeks on this stuff, I am a mess and don't feel like myself at all. Weaning off and trying something else. I got up to 15 mg. Tried to get to 20 but just felt too horrible."

• pan...
• February 7, 2015

For Panic Disorder "I suffered panic attacks and anxiety most of my life but started having several a day after a move and job change. I tried Zoloft 25 mg first and had extreme jitteriness, nausea, and shaking (sertraline reaction). My doctor switched me to a low dose of Prozac to start with (5 mg...half a 10 mg tablet). After 2 weeks, he moved me to 10 mg, but I had nausea and shakiness. He said to go back to 5 mg. I had to continue Xanax as needed for my first month. The attacks slowly became less severe, then disappeared. 1 month now since an attack and I only take 5 mg. This has changed my life."

• And...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 5, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "I find it a helpful antidepressant, still having trouble dealing with the side effects on day 3 (upgrading to 40 mg), but I'll give it more time. Mostly nausea, nothing else! Hopefully, it will go away soon, but I can honestly say I feel calmer as I upgraded to 40 mg. Don't be afraid of these guys, it helps! We got this"

• mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 14, 2022

Fluoxetine for Anxiety and Stress "I have OCD, depression, anxiety, and BPD. I started 10 mg Prozac about a week and a half ago, and so far I am completely unable to eat anything, and I'm extremely nauseous all the time. I now have insomnia, and I'm pretty much panic-hyperventilating all day. My moods are improved, and my OCD is almost gone, but my anxiety is through the roof, and the nausea has caused me to lose 10 pounds in 9 days. I would not say it's worth it."

• BB ...
• June 11, 2017

For Depression "Works for me, and no more panic attacks and illogical negative/automatic thoughts. I can 'manage' my depression, which I guess is for life, but I'm philosophical about it, as I was a mess before Fluoxetine. However, I got cocky a few months back and stopped my 20 mg daily dosage. Felt fine (for a while), then it came back and bit me in the ass with panicky rushes and illogical negativity (which thankfully I now recognize as part of the symptoms). Been taking it again for over a month and feeling awful right now, and in a few weeks I'm hoping for stability to return."

• Bub...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 7, 2019

For Hot Flashes "I shared my experience on here back in June this year. Symptoms have not improved after a year (Aug 2018) of being on Fluoxetine, so have been back to my GP yesterday and have had the dosage increased from 20 mg to 40 mg. Feeling of nausea is normal... felt sickly this morning. Here’s hoping, and fingers crossed that this new dosage works. I’m 59 years old, so need to get these flushes to stop as they now occur at nighttime."

• Bru...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 6, 2023

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I have struggled since adolescence with mood swings, periods of sadness, a feeling of 'heavy heart,' and other symptoms that interfered with my daily life. Fluoxetine changed my life and my days. I've been taking it for a year and a half, more or less. I was afraid at first because I had heard stories of people who also had depression and became addicted to their medications, but Fluoxetine is a safe medication that gives great support to people who suffer from emotional instability like me. I felt a lot of differences in my way of reacting and in personal and family relationships. The only side effect I felt in the first weeks was a bit of nausea, and I also felt sleepier than usual. After 2 weeks, I felt no other side effects. I know how much I have improved since the beginning of the treatment, and I’m so grateful for that. Life has become more normal than ever before. My relationships have improved too."

• Try...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 11, 2021

Fluoxetine "This medication did not work for my CPTSD. 20 mg in the morning, and by day three, I was a complete zombie, hysterically crying in a heap on my floor, unable to drive, had a very difficult time walking. Was told to stop taking it immediately and was able to resume my normal activities the following day. Also made me consistently nauseous. I have to add that I think I'm an outlier. I have a very strong reaction to most medications, so please take my reaction with a grain of salt."

• Hal...
• January 12, 2016

Fluoxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I started Prozac as one of my first antidepressants for MDD. It made me horribly sick. I was nauseous all day and wouldn't eat for days at a time. I stayed on it to try and get through the side effects, but they wouldn't stop. I was throwing up every other day. One day I woke up and I started to violently shake. This lasted for over 12 hours until I ended up in the hospital with tachycardia. This was a horrible experience, and months later I still have stomach and heart issues. I'm on new medications now, but because of my bad experience, I get very anxious when I take them."

• ret...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 1, 2017

Fluoxetine for Anxiety and Stress "Prozac worked great for me for about 2 years, and then it quit being effective. Apparently, this experience is so common it's even called 'Prozac poop-out.' At age 41, I started taking 10 mg daily, then increased to 20. For the first week or two, I felt slightly nauseated and had trouble getting an erection. Then those side effects vanished, and I felt not only happier but more functional (at the time, I was a university professor). I wrote 2 published novels during those two years. A wonderful side effect is that I gained total ejaculatory control. Suddenly, I was the lover I'd always wanted to be! But after the Prozac honeymoon, I found myself feeling anxious and depressed again, and the Prozac was just making me sleepy. So I quit. C'est la vie."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 6, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "Only side effects I experienced were mild dizziness and nausea while starting off on 20 mg. About a month later, I went on to 40 mg, and it was the best thing I have ever done for myself. I would recommend this medication to anyone suffering from anxiety. Fluoxetine has been amazing for me and has completely changed my life so far!"